showcase lisbon issue 78

Jun 2007

Welcome to the summer issue of Showcase Lisbon, where it is always a good time for productions. And now, in high season, all the companies we feature here are reporting a busy time.

Beautiful locations, excellent light and good weather are factors that make Lisbon and the whole of Portugal an ideal place for productions. For a full directory of the best visual media companies, visit www.productionparadise.com.

Musically, Lisbon attracts big names - the Rolling Stones will be playing on 25 June at the Estadio de Alvalade and the Super BockFestival (28 June to 5 July) will be hosting bands and musicians such as Stone Sour, Maximo Park, Scissor Sisters, Underworld, Arcade Fire and many others.

Once again, Sergio Matos is our choice for cover photo - from an editorial for Happy Magazine.

The last three months have been a busy time for photographer Simon Frederick. He was commissioned to shoot a fashion editorial for Essential Lisboa with cars from Maserati, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes and featuring clothes from Dolce & Gabanna, Prada, Givenchy and others.

The advertising community has also taken to this photographer, filling his schedule with shoots for mobile phone company TMN, Nestlé Waters, Grao Vasco Wines, Mapfre and Fidelidade Mundial Insurance.

Simon also found time to shoot the CD covers for two new Portuguese bands Killagees and Gloss.

IKEA RussiaShot in 2 days with a flock of 30 'not very enthusiastic' sheep! Apparently, it was quite exhausting, as the sheep did not respect any orders from the 1st AD... Produced by Silvia Reis for Artists Group, assisted by Claudia Santos.

Car ProductionEditorial, brochure and promo film. Three productions back to back. Produced by James Dubec and Silvia Reis for Artists Group, locations by Vitor Serra, permits with Claudia Santos.

Alpen Gold RussiaThis was the second shoot for the Russian chocolate, but this time had actors skimming up and down drain pipes whilst suspended by riggers for safety. Featured one of Lisbon's most beautiful buildings. Director Pat Holden, DOP Andre Szankowski, produced by Marilyn Alexander for Artists Group.

Production company Republica Das Bananas says it can offer some of the most competitive prices in western Europe.

Being in Lisbon also means some of the best weather in Europe along with breathtaking locations (traditional, landscape and cosmopolitan), high-end equipment, studios and qualified professional crews.

Its in-house team is fluent in English, Spanish and French.

Republica has developed several service productions, such as 'Sun Jeans' for Radioaktive and 'maison du cafe' for Partizan and also shoots national productions, meaning it can offer the best equipment/crew deals.

Filmes do Tejo: Lisbon commercial production

Filmes do Tejo:
Lisbon commercial production

Established by Maria João Mayer and François d'Artemare, each with solid individual experience in Portugal and France respectively, Filmes do Tejo is one of Portugal's most active production companies.

It offers executive production and production services for advertising, made-for-TV films and feature films, taking advantage of the good Portuguese climate, a wide variety of shooting locations, competitive production costs, and the experience of professional teams with recognised technical knowledge.

Filmes de Tejo also produces its own documentaries, short films, feature films and TV programming.

Its focus is on high-end film and photography - locations, casting, production, development, telecine, with expertise in TV commercials and photography production.

The company just finished the film and photo production for new spring/summer campaign for fashion brand Reserved to be launch in 9 European countries - client LPP, director Tomek Nalewajek and photographer Artur Wesolowski found 'amazing locations, professionalism and yet a relaxed environment'.

Many foreign teams come to Portugal, looking forward to working at beautiful locations with excellent lighting conditions and good weather. And Gaby Corrêa Producer is there to help on productions throughout Portugal.

Recent productions were for:

Philipp Rathmer, who was back in Lisbon again - the shoot was a good combination of talented photographer, smooth production and very good locations

Thomas Hoeffgen, recently in Lisbon

Johannes Rodach, shooting in Madeira

The company provides a full range of production services for photo and commercial productions throughout Portugal and Brazil.

Spot Lighting Service has been operating in Lisbon for a year now, following their mission of 'providing a high quality service and supplying the best lighting equipment in town'.

Local companies and professionals as well as teams from abroad have one more reason to shoot in Lisbon: they can rely on Spot Lighting Service to supply all the lighting equipment they need for their production...

ModaLisboa presents 'The Fashion & Must Haves Showroom' - the business space where industry professionals can meet the creators of fashion collections and lifestyle products. This event is the meeting point for the most prominent commercial national and international names.

The creative and cultural mix is the event's essential reality, as evidenced by the dynamic cultural happenings realised in tandem with the occasion.

One of these is the annual cycle of conferences, held in partnership with University's School of Architecture, which reflect on fashion. Another example is the ever-increasing attention paid to the young designers who are part of the LAB project.

This restaurant-bar offers a nice mix between the industrial and a classy atmosphere... something very special.

Alcantara Café is one of the pioneering restaurants in Lisbon that completely changed Portuguese habits twenty years ago - and has gone on improving that same high quality service and cuisine ever since.

Farol Design Hotel has been described as 'a daring architectural product creating the perfect interface between the 19th and the 21st centuries, with contemporary design and comfort'.

Located on the oceanfront right next to the marina and Boca-do-Inferno this is a unique experience on the Lisbon Coast (20 minutes from the beautiful capital). The remodelled 19th-century mansion has been uniquely combined with a new infrastructure built in a contemporary design, resulting in a harmonious 'bridge in time'.

Features include: fine Mediterranean-fusion cuisine with the best ocean view in the Estoril Coast, chill-out bar, outdoor Menta Bar, two esplanades, saltwater swimming pool just by the ocean and internet access in all areas. All rooms have hydro-massage bathtub, air conditioning and great views of the ocean.

In the surrounding area, there are miles of fine sandy beaches (ideal for both surf and windsurf), more than six top golf courses, tennis courts, hippodrome, Europe's largest casino; Sintra mountain range and village, water activities available at a first class marina (next door); Estoril car racing track and for a night club within walking distance.